Column: Town need better value for money so expensive two-year deals for ex Prem stars seem unlikely

Financially, things appear to be back to ‘normal’ with Dave Allen committing to meet the club’s shortfalls.

Whether that was ever not the case we’ll never know, but the fact that he put his hand in his pocket again last month suggests the safety net wasn’t far away, if removed at all.

But if Allen’s intention is to sell Chesterfield FC, he’ll surely be taking an even keener interest in how they fare on the pitch.

Doing a deal with the four ex directors over their debentures is a move that could make the Spireites a more attractive proposition.

You’d presume a League One club is also more likely to attract a new owner than a League Two club, especially if it can boast a fresh start on the playing side.

There are 19 players who could depart next summer at the end of contracts.

If Danny Wilson can pull off the balancing act of keeping Town in the division and simultaneously planning for and engineering a clear out, he’ll further enhance his status as a Spireites hero.

Rightly or wrongly, supporters have decided there are players at the club who don’t cut it, players they haven’t taken to – and at times the evidence has overwhelmingly backed up their views.

Players must know they’re playing for their futures, even if they see that future away from the Proact.

Some will have in mind how difficult it might be to find a job at this level elsewhere.

Others will want to move onwards and upwards and with a relegation fight looking likely, already have their eyes on lifeboats, agents undoubtedly already doing the groundwork.

One important thing to note is that Ashley Carson has hinted strongly at a wage cut for the playing side next season.

You might look at Town’s form and position in the league and wonder how they can pay less and expect to stay in League One but it’s not that simple.

Chesterfield haven’t been getting value for their money.

There are players on the books who have taken up chunks of the wage bill and not exactly pulled their weight.

While neither can yet say they’ve truly ‘made it’ in League One, Jon Nolan and Paul McGinn seem the kind of shrewd signings Town will need to make next summer.

You just can’t see expensive two year deals on the table for former Premier League stars.

More likely are non-league gems and solid lower league players out of contract.

As for the current crop, how many could, with a straight face, put their hand up right now, point to their 2016/17 form and ask Chesterfield for more money?

Luckily for them, that’s what agents are for.